Shownotes

The longer format of this newsletter is holding me back from publishing. I’ll try to experiment with shorter formats in the next couple of weeks to sustain regularity. On that note, apologies for being late (again).

Crimes Of The Future (2022)

directed by David Cronenberg - in theaters - watch Trailer

You would almost think that the exposure of a person’s bowels, among other rather challenging depictions, would be a big turn-off. But thanks to the mechanical effects and the gently caressing, lingering gaze of the camera, Crimes often feels more like a wicked dream, full of forbidden desires, rather than a gross and graphic soft body-horror movie. You know, the kind of dream you carry around through the day, uncomfortably questioning your own unconsciousness OR IS THAT JUST ME

Would I go so far to say that Crimes is… sexy? In the way that Cronenberg understands sexy as fetishization taken to the extreme (think Crash), sure, why not. I’d say there are weirder things than getting off to wounds, tumors and malfunctioning bodies.

🦿🫀🇺🇸🤖

Tagged:

The + in LGTBQIA+ Stands For Cronenberg, Surgery Is the New Sex, Proud Cronenbabe

Loot (2022)

Season 1 - streaming on AppleTV+ - Trailer

Made with the same wholesome, kind-hearted and gentle formula as AppleTV+’s breakout hit Ted Lasso, Loot is a charming ensemble comedy filled with endearing characters and hysterical bits. Gets better and warmer with every episode.

🤑🇺🇸🤣♀

Tagged:

Billionaire Redemption Arc, Mackenzie Scott & Melinda Gates Foundation Award Winner, I’m Cackling And My Guinea Pigs Hate It

Stranger Things 4 (2022)

Season 4 pt. 2 - streaming on Netflix

Let me make this quick: I stopped caring about Stranger Things when we spent yet another episode almost almost entirely following the adults through the Soviet Union. The main storyline in Hawkins - the one that is actually smart, humorous and nostalgic - is constantly undermined by the disjointed plots. Although I liked the elegant origin story wrap-up for Eleven and Vecna, I was bored out of my mind - Kate Bush notwithstanding. I wanted Dustin, Steve, Robin, and ERICA (!) and Nancy, not some old dudes in a research facility in the desert. Not to speak of the terrible CGI bloat and Will’s ridiculous haircut. Crossing fingers that Stranger Things returns to quality next year.

👾👩🏼‍🦲🤦🏼‍♂️🌋🇺🇸

Tagged:

Running Up That Hill To Get Away From The ST4 Finale

1. Just started watching The Staircase, which has a bit of a Chianti Wine Mom Crime Podcast vibe to it. Think: Little Fires Everywhere, Big Little Lies, and the HBO Max1 version of Under The Banner Of Heaven2. The Staircase stars a very swollen Colin Firth and dead Toni Collette, and is based on a real story (which is also currently running as a a true crime documentary on Netflix which you can probably skip). I’m intrigued, and hoping desperately that the show evolves into a solid crime procedural rather than a family drama. B+

2. I highlighted The Bear in my last newsletter, but for those who missed it, please watch it or just watch it again. It’s the single best show I’ve seen this year, and maybe since I May Destroy You (although granted a completely different vibe). Episodes are half an hour3 and well spent. A+++++++

• Everything I Know About Love, the serialization of the eponymous bestselling book by Dolly Alderton, is decidedly - I mean, 100% factually - the diametral opposite of what I enjoy watching on TV. This comes at no fault to the series, which is well produced, but by God do I not want to follow the lives of four shrieking straight women in their twenties. Again, it’s really unfair to compare anything to I May Destroy You, but if you want to watching something substantial taking place in London, that should be your pick. F

• I’m still not sure whether HBO’s Irma Vep is brilliant or stupid. I’ve detached myself from the queerbait-y4 storyline(s) between Mira and basically all other female cast members and found myself intrigued by the meta-commentary. Finale will make or break my judgement, but so far, a solid C-

• Watched The Ice Storm (1997), a peak 1990s family drama (taking place in the 70s) starring Sigourney Weaver, Katie Holmes, Elijah Wood, Christina Ricci, Kevin Kline, Joan Allen and Tobey Maguire, and directed by Ang Lee. Movie centers around a suburban family that slowly disintegrates during Thanksgiving. Has nothing to do with climate change, which was surprising, because it’s in the Letterbox synopysis (“IT WAS 1973, AND THE CLIMATE WAS CHANGING.”) Anyway, I still thought it was the ideal Sunday movie. B

🎧 Steven Winwood - Higher Love (1986, Higher Love)

YouTube - Spotify

This is old people’s “Break My Soul”

📰 Scences From An Open Marriage (2022)

The Paris Review

Loads of open relationship gossip, talk, discussions, dissections in the last few weeks; this inconclusive, fragmented, poignant, chaotic essay stuck with me.

“Finally I asked my husband, “Which scenario endangers us more: you sleeping with other women, or you not sleeping with other women?” I told him to think about it, assess, and render a verdict; I would do whatever gave us the best chance.”

🥗 Salad Freak - Recipes to Feed a Healthy Obsession (Jess Damuck)

Buy on Amazon

Here’s a secret: I love cookbooks. I wish I could afford a library of cookbooks. I have a special place in my heart for cookbooks that are focused and specific to one dish, and refuse to have a whole chapter on desserts. This one’s inspirational.

🦠 Central Cee’s “Doja” going viral on TikTok

I wish I could spend more time documenting the geneses of memes on TikTok, but alas, I’ve chosen my fate and I’d rather earn money. But this viral phenomenon is just too good to ignore: Here’s a quick “Explain Like I’m Your Mom” for my middle aged readers:

The Original
English rapper Central Cee releases his song “Doja”, which kicks right into the hook5 with the following, somewhat offensive but clever lines:

How can I be homophobic? My bitch is gay
Hit man in the top, try see a man topless, even the stick is gay

Catchy enough. I’ll let you figure out what the second line means.

First generation memes
Of course everyone’s going crazy on the first bar. The variations are endless. The producer reacting memes are hilarious, although not the focus. This one’s my favorite first-gen, basically a play on the homophobes in their lives.

Second generation: I’m gay / How can I be gay
Someone switches the bars out- this happens in at least three variations, surfacing around the same time: How can I be homophobic? I’m fucking gay! then How can I be straight, my boyfriend’s gay. And my favorite: How can I be gay? My bitch is homphobic. Broooo 🤣

Third gen: Everyone’s gay
The remixes are getting out of hand. I’m gay, Doja cat’s gay, everyone’s gay.The Bi one got me. And “Trying to explain wearing earrings and pearls to African Parents”. Let’s see where we are next week. To be continued.

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Irma Vep in a nutshell